a rough accent

USAGE SUMMARY

'a rough accent' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a particular way of speaking, particularly one that is rough or difficult to understand. For example, "The old man spoke with a rough accent that made it difficult to understand him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

An important divergence in tone from Waugh's novel, Mr. Jarrold said, comes in the closing scene, when Charles — now back at Brideshead during World War II — talks to Lieutenant Hooper, a fellow soldier who has a rough accent and the forthright views of a modern man unimpressed by the aristocracy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Born and reared in Rome, where he plays for a hometown club, he carries a gladiator tattoo on his arm and speaks with a rough Roman accent.

The New York Times - Sports

As played by the excellent Anne-Marie Duff with laser eyes and a rough Irish accent, the maid of Orleans is a tidal force of pure conviction, at odds with the strategy-parsing sophists, the men of church and state, who surround her.

The New York Times

Or, you could stroll in, and speak a natural conversation with a rough New York accent, slightly hunched over, and your swagger is unbeatable.

WikiHow

But most were just politicians saying in the rough accent of Anatolian politics that, if they get elected, the other side had better not try keeping them out of office.The flavour of the 1930sTo be sure, all Islamic revivalists need to be examined through narrowed eyes.

The Economist

Still, even here, even here, Miles emphasizes Cromwell's street smarts and rough accent from start to finish.

Huffington Post

Mr. Atto, who speaks with a rough idiomatic American accent, said: "I would ignore it.

The New York Times

The most commonly mimicked Aussie accent is of a rough, messy, casual and animated style.

WikiHow

Rougher accents, such as the Cockney accent, sound very different.

WikiHow

The great room has a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows and an accent wall of stacked travertine brick, a rough, naturalistic look that continues into the kitchen.

The New York Times

The evening gets off to a rough start, what with a canine corpse, some muddled storytelling and accents that are all over the map.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character in fiction, use "a rough accent" to quickly convey a sense of their background or social standing.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a rough accent" always means incomprehensible. It often refers to an accent that deviates significantly from standard pronunciation but is still understandable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rough accent" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, providing more information about the speaker's manner of speech. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

31%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rough accent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, particularly in news and media, to describe a distinct and often unrefined way of speaking. While generally acceptable, it's important to consider the potential negative connotations and choose your words carefully. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely applicable, and understanding its nuances can improve the precision and sensitivity of your writing. Exploring alternative phrases like "a heavy accent" or "an unrefined accent" can also add depth to your descriptive vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a heavy accent

Emphasizes the intensity or strength of the accent.

a strong accent

Focuses on the distinctiveness and clarity of the accent.

an unrefined accent

Highlights the lack of polish or sophistication in the accent.

a thick accent

Suggests the accent is very pronounced and possibly difficult to understand.

a pronounced accent

Indicates the accent is easily noticeable and stands out.

a distinct accent

Focuses on the uniqueness and recognizability of the accent.

a marked accent

Implies the accent is very noticeable and characteristic.

a crude accent

Suggests the accent is unrefined and possibly unpleasant.

a coarse accent

Similar to "crude accent", implying a lack of sophistication.

a rustic accent

Suggests the accent is associated with rural or country origins.

FAQs

What does "a rough accent" imply?

The phrase "a rough accent" typically suggests an accent that is strong, unrefined, or noticeably different from a standard or more polished way of speaking. It can also imply that the accent is difficult to understand, though not necessarily unintelligible.

What are some alternative ways to describe an accent besides saying someone has "a rough accent"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, you could use alternatives such as "a heavy accent", "a strong accent", or "an unrefined accent".

Is it appropriate to describe someone's accent as "rough"?

While generally acceptable, describing an accent as "rough" can be subjective and potentially carry negative connotations, implying a lack of sophistication. Consider the context and your audience to avoid causing offense. Using more descriptive and neutral terms might be preferable.

How can "a rough accent" be used effectively in writing?

In writing, "a rough accent" can be used to quickly establish a character's background, social class, or origin. It can also add authenticity to dialogue and help create a vivid sense of place. However, avoid overusing it, as it can become a stereotype. Remember to provide context and descriptive details to make the accent more understandable to the reader.